Canon EOS R8 vs Nikon Z5 II
Canon EOS R8 has the edge on paper, but the right choice depends on what you shoot. The EOS R8 is the better pick for travel, wildlife, vlogging; the Z5 II is better for portraits, landscapes.
Choose the EOS R8 for
- faster bursts (40fps vs 30fps)
- a lighter body (461g vs 700g)
- a lower price (from £789)
- stronger video (4K 60p)
Choose the Z5 II for
- in-body image stabilisation
- weather sealing
- more lenses in our database (54 vs 36)
- a newer design (2025)
Specs side by side
| Spec | EOS R8 | Z5 II |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Full frame, 24MP | Full frame, 24MP |
| Mount | Canon RF (full frame) | Nikon Z |
| Released | 2023 | 2025 |
| Burst | 40 fps | 30 fps |
| Readout | ≈16 ms | — |
| Max ISO | 102,400 | 64,000 |
| Stabilisation | Lens only | In-body |
| Video | 4K 60p | 4K 60p (crop) |
| Weather sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
| Weight | 461 g | 700 g |
| Battery | Canon LP-E17 | Nikon EN-EL15c |
| Card slots | SD (UHS-II) | 2× SD (UHS-II) |
| New price | £1,229 | £1,499 |
| Used at MPB | £789–914 | £1,009–1,029 |
| Native lenses in our database | 36 (14 third-party) | 54 (31 third-party) |
Which is better for…
| Use | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Beginner-friendly | About equal |
| Everyday & travel | EOS R8 |
| Portraits | Z5 II |
| Landscape | Z5 II |
| Wildlife & animals | EOS R8 |
| Sports & action | About equal |
| Astrophotography | About equal |
| Vlogging & video | EOS R8 |
| Vintage / film look | About equal |
Based on the specs that matter most for each type of photography: burst and readout for action, resolution for landscapes, sensor size and low light for portraits and astro, video and weight for vlogging.
Lenses and running costs
The EOS R8 uses Canon RF / RF-S (36 lenses in our database, 14 third-party) and the Z5 II uses Nikon Z (54 lenses, 31 third-party). Batteries: Canon LP-E17 (about £45) vs Nikon EN-EL15c (about £51).
Frequently asked questions
Is the Canon EOS R8 better than the Nikon Z5 II?
It depends on your priorities. The EOS R8 offers faster bursts (40fps vs 30fps), a lighter body (461g vs 700g), a lower price (from £789); the Z5 II offers in-body image stabilisation, weather sealing, more lenses in our database (54 vs 36).
Which is better for video, the EOS R8 or the Z5 II?
The EOS R8 is stronger for video: EOS R8 records 4K 60p, Z5 II records 4K 60p (crop).
Which is cheaper, the EOS R8 or the Z5 II?
The EOS R8 costs £1,229 new and from £789 used at MPB; the Z5 II costs £1,499 new and from £1,009 used (checked 5 November 2026).
Can I use Canon EOS R8 lenses on the Z5 II?
Not directly. The EOS R8 uses Canon RF / RF-S and the Z5 II uses Nikon Z; switching usually means new lenses or an adapter where one exists.